There
is evidence that repetitive shocks especially with concurrent
interruptions of chest compression injure the heart and reduce the
likelihood of survival. Our team has developed a method with which
to rapidly and automatically determine whether an unconscious victim
is breathing and/or has a heartbeat and the device has been named
Cardiac Arrest Detector (CAD). The same electrode pads that are
routinely applied with current external defibrillators sense the
movement of blood through the chest and air through the lung
accordingly. Moreover, this device has the capability of
"diagnosing" cardiac arrest for the lay rescuer. Failure
to breathe, as in the case of a drowning victim or sudden death due
to loss of the heartbeat and circulation require different
interventions. The CAD verbally prompts the rescuer accordingly with
respect to the airway and breathing, chest compression, and
attempted cardiac defibrillation. The CAD is intended to be part of
automated defibrillators, which are perceived increasingly as
"resuscitation boxes" which measure and prompt the
comprehensive sequence of CPR and life support (US
Patent 6,821,254).

Chest
Compressor

“Uninterrupted
compression”, improves the likelihood of successful resuscitation
from cardiac arrest. The
Institute’s research team continues to develop devices for
efficient and safe, continuous precordial compression during CPR.

Uninterrupted chest compression may be performed in closed
spaces, during transport in ambulances, stairways, elevators and
also to assure that the manual effort is not compromized by fatigue
of the rescuer. The Institute's Biomedical Engineers have designed
and demonstrated the operability of a miniaturized chest compression
(MCC) device that may be worn on the belt of a professional rescuer.
The current device occupies only 121 cubic inches, which is less
than 3 percent of the size of the widely used chest compressor by
Michigan Instruments "Thumper". The height of
the device is only 3 inches above the chest level of the patient
with a total weight of 4.5 pounds excluding the pneumatic energy
source. The chest compressor is powered by either compressed air or
oxygen and the oxygen is scavengered
for enriching inspired air. Trials on animals provide evidence that
the MCC performs as effectively as the "Thumper".

Rhythm
Identifier

Current
state-of-the-art AEDs provide for no alternative other than to stop
precordial compression to identify the victim's heart rhythm during
the CPR. Yet interruptions of compression for as little as 10
seconds compromise outcomes. Accordingly, the capability of
identifying shockable or non-shockable rhythm without interrupting
precordial compression is intended. Such has been accomplished with
an identifier algorithm (QRSID) which utilizes wavelet decomposition
for identification of either the pressure of a QRS or its absence,
compatible with VF rhythms even when corrupted by precordial
compression artifacts. We have achieved a specificity of 0.95 and a
sensitivity of 0.92 in experimental studies.

Vascular
Interface

A
device for facilitating the administration of fluids and medication
is presently in development. The system will be capable of multiple
infusions of fluids or medication through a single vascular site.
The system provides for a combination of up to four medications
and/or fluids. Intelligence provides for automatic control of rate
and volume of fluids or medication. The delivery system is by a
patented Vascular Interface (Patent No. 4,638,811)
and Closely Controllable Intravenous Injection System (Patent No. 4,345,594).

Resuscitation
Blanket

A disarmingly simple device has been invented to facilitate
uninterrupted chest compression. It is a "blanket" which
protects the rescuer from electrical shock which then may be
delivered without asking the rescuer to "Step back, do not
touch the patient". The voltage delivered to the hand of the
rescuer is reduced from hundreds of volts to less than 50 volts.A
multi-layer silicone fabric separated by a conductive material,
"bleeds" the excess electrical charge back into the victim
and away from the rescuer. (US Patent 6,360,125)